For years, Kristy Gammon made regular trips from Nova Scotia to the United States—skiing in Lake Placid and cheering on the Baltimore Orioles with her husband. But in 2025, those
cross-border getaways have come to a halt.
Gammon says she now avoids entering the U.S. altogether, even skipping the shortcut through American territory on long drives to Ontario. The decision, she explains, is shared by many of her Canadian friends who have chosen to boycott U.S. travel in protest of policies and trade actions under President Donald Trump.
“There are so many things that we feel aghast about—how the administration is behaving internationally, toward their own citizens, and toward allies like Canada,” the 62-year-old said.
They are far from alone. October marked the tenth straight month of declining Canadian travel to the U.S., according to new figures from Statistics Canada. Air travel fell nearly 24% year-on-year, and car trips dropped more than 30%.
The downturn has rippled across the American travel industry. International spending in the U.S. is down 3.2%, driven largely by the steep drop in Canadian visitors, the U.S. Travel Association reports. Canadians typically account for roughly one-quarter of international arrivals and spend more than $20bn annually.
The boycott began gaining momentum after Trump introduced a series of tariffs on Canadian goods earlier this year, arguing they were needed to reduce the U.S. trade deficit and curb the flow of fentanyl into the country. Canada now faces tariffs of up to 35%—though many products remain exempt under the existing North American free trade pact—along with targeted measures on sectors such as steel and automotive manufacturing.
Diplomatic tensions intensified when Trump reacted angrily to an anti-tariff advertisement in the U.S. sponsored by Ontario, and after he made repeated comments about turning Canada into the “51st state.”
As relations sour, some U.S. destinations are trying to lure Canadians back. In Kalispell, Montana—gateway to Glacier National Park—tourism officials launched a “Canadian Welcome Pass,” offering discounts at local businesses. “We miss you,” the promotion’s website declares.
The American travel industry is banking on global events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, to draw visitors from elsewhere and offset the Canadian shortfall.
Meanwhile, the travel slowdown has produced an unexpected windfall north of the border. Canada’s tourism sector recorded a record C$59bn from May to August 2025, a 6% increase from the previous year, according to Destination Canada. Much of the surge came from Canadians choosing domestic vacations.
Even seasonal “snowbirds”—retirees who typically head south for winter—are staying put. Only 10% of baby boomers plan to visit the U.S. this year, a 66% drop from last year, according to a survey by the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada. Some have even sold long-held winter homes in Florida.
Gammon says many in her circle have rethought their annual migrations. “They’ve completely changed their snowbird plans,” she said. “You can feel there’s a shift.”
Whether that shift endures remains to be seen. Gammon admits she misses her American trips but plans to continue her personal boycott for now.
“Who knows what could change between now and three years,” she said. “But it would have to be pretty significant for us to reconsider.” Photo by Theorb, Wikimedia commons.
